Abstract:
Cambridge University geneticist Aubrey de Grey has famously stated: "The first person to live to be 1,000 years old is certainly alive today ...whether they realise it or not, barring accidents and suicide, most people now 40 years or younger can expect to live for centuries."

Is de Gray too optimistic? One thing is for sure. He is not alone in this mind-set. There are many others - among them scientists, doctors, geneticists and nanotech experts with impeccable academic credentials.

And they are adamant that there is no reason why ageing can't be dramatically slowed or even prevented altogether.